During this challenging time, the Thrive team has decided to compile useful resources, tips and activities into a weekly newsletter for Thrive families. Most of these tips and activities are geared to children ages 4—12. We hope this brings you a simple and

enjoyable way to stay connected to your family.

Thriving Families

February 1, 2021 Volume 1, Issue 44

5 Dinner Time Prompts

Try these conversation starters at dinner time and see where the conversation takes you!

If you had a time machine where would you go?

Why?

What is one thing you would change about the

world?

Imagine you just won a million dollars, what

would you buy first?

What is something that helps you fall asleep at

night?

If the sky could rain food, what food would you

like for it to rain down?

Groundhog Day Activities

Groundhogs Day takes place on February 2. In honor of the holiday, try these fun activities.

1. Instruct your child to pretend to be a groundhog by popping out of a

cardboard box and shining a flashlight in their direction. Light directed at the “groundhog” will produce his shadow. One time the child can see his shadow & “pop” back down and another time he will not see it so the “groundhog” stays up to “play”.

2. If I were a groundhog….have your child draw and describe what they would do if they were a groundhog.

3. Learn fun facts about groundhogs with this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrq11bowOw 4. Enjoy the fun story, Wake Up, Groundhog, with this read-aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvedPMf5oOQ

Mindfulness Corner

Calming Glitter Jar

Find a jar and fill it up with water, glitter

glue, and your child’s favorite color food

dye. Once the lid is on tight, shake the jar

and have your child watch the glitter slowly

float around the mesmerizing array of

colors and patterns. Ask them to take long,

slow breaths while watching the glitter drift

around the jar.

References: Teaching Your Child About Black History. (2021, January 27). Retrieved January 27, 2021, from https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/teaching-your-child-about-black-history-month Carney, Z. (2020, February 08). Celebrate Black History Month with Fun Activities for Kids! Retrieved January 27, 2021, from https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/132853/12-black-history-month-activities-for-kids/ Miley, P. (2019, November 21). Groundhog Day Activities and Fun Ideas for Kids. Retrieved January 28, 2021, from https://www.childfun.com/holidays/winter/groundhog-day/#:~:text=Let%20a%20child%20pretend%20to,stays%20up%20to%20%E2%80%9Cplay%E2%80%9D. Dower, B. (2014, January 31). 15 Must-Read Children's Books for Black History Month. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.familyeducation.com/fun/black-history-month/top-15-childrens-books-black-history-month Mom Hacks 101, Annie, Heather | Embracing Chaos with Love, Roseborough, K., Marie, K., Sky, U., . . . Sue, G. (2020, October 25). 101 Fun Questions To Ask Kids To Know Them Better. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://momhacks101.com/101-fun-questions-for-kids/ 7 Fun and Relaxing Mindfulness Activities for Kids. (2020, October 15). Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.moshisleep.com/blog/mindfulness-activities-for-kids/

Black History Quiz

Test your knowledge about black history with our Black History Quiz. After submitting your answers, make sure to click “View Score” to discover how many of your answers were correct and learn even more facts and details about black history!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpyvpx2bkFM3Za81gWZnBAg4vxqS3c7zu3o945smer2FnRDQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Fun Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

with Kids

Play Red Light, Green Light and Talk about Garrett Morgan.

Play a Game of Telephone and Talk about Granville T.

Woods.

Do a science experiment and Talk about Percy Julian.

Make a Toilet Paper Train and Talk about Elijah

McCoy. Instructions Here: https://

kidsactivitiesblog.com/58370/toilet-paper-roll-train-craft/

Decorate a pair of paper eyeglasses and teach about Patricia

Bath. Use the free printable found here: https://

www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-eyeglasses.html

Print out coloring pages of historical figures from the past and

present! Print them out here: http://

www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/tags/black-history-

month

Connect Your Kids to Black History

Author, Cheryl Hudson, offered these tips to use books and

libraries to connect your children to black history:

1. Buy a book by a Black author and make it a part of your

child’s book collection.

2. Look for books that are inclusive and reflect diversity.

3. When a child asks about race, give them concrete, but

simple explanations. Don’t ignore the questions or sweep

them under the rug.

4. Don’t JUST celebrate black history. Celebrate black culture

too. Make sure your collection of books encompasses

contemporary black culture. Seek the suggestions and

guidance from culture experts, booksellers and librarians.

Choosing a Coretta Scott King Award-winning title is a

good place to start.

Black History Month started as “Negro History Week” in February 1926 by Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African

Americans. During the late 1960s, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month, but was not officially recognized until

1976. The US and Canada celebrates Black History Month in February, while other countries celebrate the month in October.

Learn more about the origin of Black History Month here!

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month#:~:text=Black%20History%20Month%20is%20an,of%

Museum Tour

The Smithsonian offers virtual tours to museums! Black History Month by taking this virtual tour of the National Museum of

African American History and Culture! Be sure to get the full in person experience when places open back

up!! Check out the virtual tour here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/national-

museum-african-american-history-and-culture-interactive-museum-tour/

Books to Celebrate Black History

Young Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present Book by Jamia Wilson

This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russell-Brown A Ride to Remember by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan A Computer Called Katherine by Suzanne Slade The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti

Harrison The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a

Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpyvpx2bkFM3Za81gWZnBAg4vxqS3c7zu3o945smer2FnRDQ/viewform?usp=sf_linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpyvpx2bkFM3Za81gWZnBAg4vxqS3c7zu3o945smer2FnRDQ/viewform?usp=sf_linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpyvpx2bkFM3Za81gWZnBAg4vxqS3c7zu3o945smer2FnRDQ/viewform?usp=sf_linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpyvpx2bkFM3Za81gWZnBAg4vxqS3c7zu3o945smer2FnRDQ/viewform?usp=sf_linkhttps://kidsactivitiesblog.com/58370/toilet-paper-roll-train-craft/https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/58370/toilet-paper-roll-train-craft/https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-eyeglasses.htmlhttps://www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-eyeglasses.htmlhttp://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/tags/black-history-monthhttp://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/tags/black-history-monthhttp://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/tags/black-history-month